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A Pakistani court approved bail for a journalist arrested this week after investigating claims of casualties in a protest march, his lawyer said on Saturday.

Matiullah Jan, a critic of military influence in Pakistani politics, was granted bail by an anti-terrorism court in the capital, Islamabad, in a terrorism and narcotics case, his lawyer, Imaan Mazari, said in a text message.

"He should be home by this evening," Mazari said.

Jan was picked up off the street on Wednesday night while investigating claims of casualties in a protest march demanding the release of jailed ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan, according to a colleague and his lawyer.

The Committee to Protect Journalists had expressed "grave alarm" over Jan's "abduction", demanding his immediate release.

Hours before being picked up, Jan had appeared on television casting doubt over the government's denial that live ammunition had been used when security forces dispersed the protest and that any protesters had been killed.

The government has repeatedly denied using deadly force against protesters. Police and the information ministry have not responded to requests for comment on Jan's detention.

Thousands of supporters of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party this week stormed Islamabad. The government said they had killed four security officers.

The PTI said hundreds of protesters had been shot and between eight and 40 killed.

(Reuters)